Weather and our changing climates impact on seasonal allergies

After a long winter, many of us look forward to the spring and summer. But there is another season following winter that many are not fans of – pollen season.

Day-to-day weather conditions and our climate in Atlantic Canada play a big role in how bad your seasonal allergies may be.

A day that features clouds, rain and low winds is often better for those suffering seasonal allergies as less pollen circulates through the air or is washed out.

On the other hand, sunny, warm, dry and windy days tend to be the worst for those suffering from seasonal allergies.

Climate change is also having an impact.

A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that pollen concentrations in North America have increased by 21 per cent since 1990 and showed that pollen seasons lengthened by 20 days, all due to climate change.

More carbon dioxide in our atmosphere promotes plant growth, and warmer temperatures lead to earlier starts to spring and growing seasons, in turn leading to more pollen.

However, Daniel Coates, director of business operations at Aerobiology Research Laboratories, which tracks pollen levels across the country, says while warming temperatures are impacting the amount of pollen in the air, other factors such as the planting male trees and the growth of weeds in large-city construction zones is also contributing to increased pollen levels.

“It’s not to say that climate change isn’t affecting it – it definitely is from what we see with the research and in our own data. But there are other factors that could be at play as well,” Coates said.

Although pollen levels are increasing in our region, Atlantic Canada remains one of the top places to live in our country if you suffer from seasonal allergies.

For an in-depth look at how weather affects pollen, including average pollen seasons and types in our region, how far wind can blow pollen, and some tips to limit the severity of your allergies, watch my full Behind the Weather video on saltwire. com/weather.